Interview with Chloe Edmondson from University High School

Describe an average day at your school (give us a feel of a walk through the halls): UHS has somewhat of a block schedule. Mondays and Fridays though we have all of our classes.
Tuesday-Thursday, we only have four classes each day. In the morning we have two long-block classes and an all school assembly. After lunch, there are only two short block classes and the day ends at 2:30. Throughout the day, students move between the three campuses, Upper (on Jackson), Lower (on Washington), and South (on Sacramento), walking up and down the hills. At UHS we have off-campus privileges, so at lunch and breaks lots of students go to nearby restaurants and cafes. Lots of students also hang out in the student center, or on a sunny day you will find tons of students relaxing in the upper courtyard. An average class has between 14 and 18 students.
How much of a resource is your school in your life’s development? Do you think it actively contributes to your greater learning in life? Do you feel that your classes cater to your immediate and future needs?
I think that the classes prepare us amazingly for college, and for life especially in terms of the development of analytical skills. But in terms of personal growth and development, it stresses extra-curriculars and there is such a heavy courseload that most students do not take the time to find who they are as a person. Then again, the school also offers incredible freedom in creating independent studies to suit your needs and goals for your future, which is a unique and great experience.
How do you think your curriculum could be better formatted to teach you life skills? I think that the academic curriculum is excellent, but the culture of the school could change to allow students the time to develop as individuals through high school experiences rather than focus solely on academics.
Is there respect at your school between students? Students and teachers? Teachers and parents? Parents and students? How does this affect your learning environment?
There is a great amount of respect between students and students and teachers. Students find support in their classmates as well as the approachable teachers that are always willing to help in any way. The relationship with teachers is very casual and that makes for a relaxed learning environment. In addition, it allows for students to feel completely comfortable going to their teachers for academic help or other. For the most part, there is respect between teachers and parents and students and parents. However, occasionally, parents exude so much pressure onto their students that they also occasionally pressure teachers to make sure their child does well. However, the teachers are very aware of this and do not cave to these external pressures. The stressed out parents definitely affects the learning environment in that it breeds students that are under far too much stress in an already overachieving, competitive atmosphere.
If you could change one thing about you school, what would it be?
The perspective of the students and parents. Students need to find better balance in their lives.